ts, sax, 1926-2001 US
Musician of Jazz
A.k.a. Willie Melvin Mitchell
Billy Mitchell (born in Kansas City, Missouri, November 3, 1926, died Rockville Centre, NY, April 18, 2001) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, and occasional actor. He was a driving force and major influence in the post WWII Detroit modern jazz explosion. He influenced and employed many local musicians who later went on to fame, including Thad Jones and Elvin Jones. He is best known for his work with The Count Basie Orchestra and The Dizzy Gillespie big band of the 50's and 60's..... Mitchell and trombonist Al Grey left Basie in late 1961 and formed the Al Grey/Billy Mitchell Sextet, which won the Downbeat Award for best new jazz band of 1962! This band also officially introduced vibraphone future star Bobby Hutcherson. Besides leaving and re-joining Basie's band several times in the 60's, Billy was an important figure on Long Island (his home) and Manhattan in the educational area of jazz; he was mentor and friend to Alto Saxophonist, Charles McPherson, and LA trombonist/composer-arranger Richard Pulin.
Title | Artist | Year | Type |
---|---|---|---|
SteepleChase Jam Session Volume 7 | Louis Smith, Mark Turner, Billy Mitchell, Jay Anderson, Billy Drummond | 2003 | Album |
Anniversary | Dolo Coker, Bob Mover, Barry Harris, Kenny Barron, Jimmy Raney, Al Cohn, Billy Mitchell | 1985 | Album |
Xanadu In Africa | Al Cohn / Billy Mitchell / Dolo Coker / Leroy Vinnegar / Frank Butler | 1981 | Album |
De Lawd's Blues | Billy Mitchell | 1980 | Album |
The Colossus Of Detroit | Billy Mitchell | 1978 | Album |
Now's The Time | Billy Mitchell | 1976 | Album |
Night Song | Al Grey With Billy Mitchell | 1963 | Album |
Just Waiting / Sophisticated Lady | Billy Mitchell | 1963 | Single |
Al Grey - Snap Your Fingers | Al Grey, Billy Mitchell | 1962 | Single |
This Is Billy Mitchell | Billy Mitchell | 1962 | Album |
Snap Your Fingers | Al Grey Featuring Billy Mitchell | 1962 | Album |
Nothing But The Truth / Dirty Low Down Blues | Al Grey - Billy Mitchell | 1962 | Single |
Call To Me (I'll Be There) / Where | Billy Mitchell | 1960 | Single |
Motor City Scene | Thad Jones, Billy Mitchell, Al Grey, Tommy Flanagan, Paul Chambers, Elvin Jones | 1959 | Album |
Bottomless Pit | Billy Mitchell | 1958 | Single |
Dizzy Atmosphere | Al Grey, Billy Mitchell, Lee Morgan, Charlie Persip, Paul West, Billy Root, Wynton Kelly | 1957 | Album |
Pickin' On The Wrong Chicken / Satellite Beep Bop | Billy Mitchell And The Basie-ites | Single | |
Short Skirts | Billy Mitchell | Single |
Billy Mitchell |
Billy Mitchell p, key US R&B/Soul and Jazz |
Billy Mitchell dr Jazz and R&B/Soul |
Billy Mitchell voc, man, g GB Rock |
Billy Mitchell voc US R&B/Soul and Spoken Word |
Billy Mitchell voc US Blues |
Billy Mitchell voc, key |
Billy Mitchell dr Alternative |